Leigh CofE Infants School's Eco-Day

23 July 2012

Download the Case Study

The project

The Eco-Day covered so many topics at once and in one day. The aim was to re-gain our Green Flag. Within our Eco-Day we covered eight Eco-Schools topics: Water, Global Perspectives, Energy, Waste, Litter, Healthy Living, School Grounds and Biodiversity. Ticking all the boxes identified in our Eco-Audit that were needed to re-gain the flag.  

Delivering the project and linking it to the curriculum

A water awareness project delivered by the Kingfisher Education Services. The Waste Educational Officers; Rebecca Hill and Ellen Belshaw and the Wigan Borough in Bloom Co-ordinator Damian Jenkinson came into school to deliver the sessions along with the class teachers and assistants.

Eco-Schools and Healthy schools subjects are fully integrated into school development plan. The Eco-coordinator notifies class teachers of any campaigns. Web sites are accessed as a class lesson on class white boards. 

Getting the pupils involved

The whole school took part in a full day of activities. Y2 were given a water project to complete that lasted the following two weeks and the Kingfisher trust teacher came back into school for the results and feedback from the children. The school Council completed displays using the photographs taken of the day. 

Y1 made scarecrow junk models for the garden and were made responsible for the upkeep of these. Reception class were given the task of looking after the bird feeders along with the gardening gangs.

Project support

A lead person is needed to organise and facilitate the event. Full support is essential from the Head Teacher and all the class teachers to arrange a full day of activities. Professional outside agencies are desirable to deliver the necessary subject knowledge as the children respond to their presentations really well. A parent volunteer helped in the garden on the day.  

Challenges

Only that careful planning is necessary and essential for the continuity and smooth running of the day. Timetables were drafted and re-drafted in consultation with class teachers and agencies before a final timetable of activities was settled on. This made it a time consuming exercise. A lead co-ordinator is essential.

Benefits of being an Eco-School

The whole school now have more awareness on the importance of the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign and Love Where You Live. When questioned about the subject the children answer in a confident and knowing way. They recognise Waste Warrior and Scoop and know what they do.

They know which bins to use when, the importance of recycling and to use both sides of paper resulting in less waste. As a school we try to use the white boards more, rather than photocopying paper worksheets. Each class has a scrap paper box.

Measuring the impact

• New blue and brown bins have been ordered.
• A Disposal of Confidential Waste Policy has been written.
• A bid to Leigh Neighbours Project Residents Fund for a greenhouse has been made.
• The Green Flag has been awarded to the school.
• Eco matters are included in a weekly News Letter sent out to all parents.
• A water butt has been installed.

 Using the Pod’s resources

We have taken part in the Waste Week campaign

We have also used various Energy activities and lesson plans

Educational resources used

• Reading other Eco-Schools case studies, including “The story of one school’s sustainable journey, helping you to start yours.”
• The Eco-Schools webpages, including framework on how to get the Green Flag
• The Big Tidy Up
• Walk to School Week
• GET SET  Olympic Values- Children’s Activity Challenge (even though this is geared to year 6 children I adapted the resources for the school council)
• Asda community champions challenge scheme.
• Leigh Neighbourhood Project Residents Fund

Lessons learned

Get the full support of your Head Teacher, class teachers and the school staff. Set up regular meetings with them for their ideas and intended lesson plans, so that duplication doesn’t occur and the desired outcomes are achievable.

Get someone to lead the initiatives and include as many children as possible throughout the school. Delegate, don’t try to cover everything at once and give yourself enough time to complete the various topics.  

Next steps

Use the POD more effectively by uploading photos and blogging to increase networking and best practices with other Green Flag schools. To promote our schools’ achievements on the website. To work towards a more sustainable environment by embedding Eco in all aspects of school planning.    

Local Authority support

As discussed above.